airBaltic: 18 new cadets qualify as pilots, includes airline’s 100th graduate

airBaltic pilot graduates
airBaltic

A new group of aspiring aviators have qualified as pilots at airBaltic after receiving their commercial pilot license following an intensive training schedule.  

The 18 graduates completed airBaltic’s full-time airline transport pilot program with several now predicted to be flying with the Latvian national airline very soon.  

The 18 Pilot Academy graduates include airBaltic’s 100th newly qualified aviator, representing a significant milestone for the airline. 

“We are proud to see and congratulate not only the 18th latest graduates of the Pilot Academy but also to celebrate our 100th graduate. This is a remarkable milestone in our journey to develop world-class aviation professionals, the latest graduates of the Pilot Academy. Several of the new graduates will begin additional training this month, preparing to join the airBaltic team soon. Having well-trained personnel is a crucial element for the success of any airline,” Martin Gauss, CEO and President of airBaltic, said.  

Gauss added “Moreover, we extend our congratulations to the young and motivated students of the 23rd group, who embarked on their educational journey today. As airBaltic continues its development and works toward operating 100 aircraft by 2023, having such dedicated individuals will be key to achieving our future goals.” 

The graduates represent countries such as Austria, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, and Spain, while the latest group of 15 cadet pilots include students from Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Sweden. 

There are currently 136 active students at the airBaltic Pilot Academy with many new hopefuls joining from Baltic countries but also other EU nations such as Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Spain and Italy, among others. 

According to the airline, more than 10% of airBaltic Pilot Academy students are female and 112 graduates, both male and female, have joined airBaltic from the training scheme. 

airBaltic students must cover the price of ATPL theory studies and 45 flight hours, costing €15,000 ($16,550). However, after passing the airBaltic pilot assessment and becoming an employee of the company, the airline will provide financing for the rest of the studies. 

airBaltic is set to expand its training capabilities with the arrival of a second Airbus A220 full flight simulator later this year.   

Scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2024, the new simulator will significantly enhance the airline’s ability to train and maintain the qualifications of its growing number of pilots, supporting both the airline’s fleet expansion and the continued development of its Pilot Academy,” a spokesperson for the airline said. 

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